John Rebuked for Bowing Before the Angel Revelation 22:9

After sharing much of the beauty of the heavenly city and looking upon the wonders that shall be there, Jesus declared to John the apostle, “Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keeps the sayings of the prophecy of this book.” John continued, “And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things”, and in Revelation chapter twenty-two and verse nine John shares how the angel declared, “see you do it not: for I am your fellow-servant” where we read:

Then said he unto me, See you do it not: for I am your fellow-servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

The verse reads, “Then said he unto me, See you do it not: for I am your fellow-servant, and of your brethren the prophets, ...” John began with the word, “then” which means “even, also and indeed” “said he unto me” or “the angel uttered, declared and proclaimed to John”, “See you do it not” which means “take heed and beware that John that you do not bow and worship the angel”: “for I am” which means “because, since and on account of the angel was also” “your fellow-servant” or “John's associate, one who is Christ's servant in publishing the gospel and one who is subject to the same divine authority”, “and of your brethren” which means “and belong to John's fellow believers who are united to another by the bond of affection” “the prophets” or “ones who are moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman and solemnly declare to men what he has received by inspiration especially concerning future events and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation”. The “angel” told John not to worship him because he was a “fellow-servant” of Jesus Christ and like one of the “prophets” who told about Him.

The verse goes on to say, “... and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.” John added the words, “and of them” which means “and belonging to the group of people” “which keep” which refers to “who attend to carefully, take care of, guard, observe and reserve” “the sayings” which means “the uttering, proclamations and declarations” “of this book” or “pertaining to this scroll, sheet or written document”: “worship” which means “kneel or prostrate oneself to do homage (to one) or make obeisance whether in order to express respect or to make supplication toward” “God” or “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. The “angel” told John that he was like those who “tended to and cared for” the writing within the book, and that John was to “worship” only “God”.

When we consider John's words in this verse, we understand the “angel's” correction to John. This is not the first time John was so overcome that he bowed before an “angel” (See Revelation 19:10), and as before, He was instructed to give his “worship” to God. God Almighty desires a relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and nothing is to be “worshiped” “before Him”. God alone deserves all the “glory and honor” for providing a way of “salvation” from the penalty of death by sin, and no one else can rescue people in this manner which shall last for all eternity.

Next time John shares how the angel tells him, “see that you do it not”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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